Around the holidays, the stress level starts to increase. Shopping, preparations, decorations, purchasing gifts and sometimes the thought that some people are expecting from you things you may not be able to do (for example, meeting your family in which relationships have always been toxic and difficult) – all these raise the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, which also predisposes to depression. Therefore, it must be kept under control in order to be able to enjoy the holidays. The festive season should come with relaxation and joy, not with high levels of tension.
There are a number of things you can do to prevent stress caused by the approach of the holidays:
- Plan everything ahead and prioritize things so that they don’t get crowded in the last moments. When it comes to shopping, you can order a lot of things online, so you can avoid people agglomerations and time spent in line for paying.
- Say NO to parties you do not want to attend. An important stress factor is the obligation to make visits that you do not feel comfortable with. Send thanks for the generosity of being invited and apologize for not being able to participate by invoking already established plans. The fewer explanations, the better.
- In general, do less and enjoy yourself more. We find ourselves often trying to make others happy for the holidays. Instead, we should take care of ourselves by saying “no” at least sometimes.
If these suggestions do not seem to be working for you, consider making an appointment with a faith based Christian therapist in Denver. Their meaningful perspective and thoughtful approach may help you find additional ways to minimize your anxiety and enjoy the holiday season to its fullest.
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